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This is a fucking thread. 1/21
Over the past 2 weeks, it's been "suggested" to me, by folx in & outside of Tyneside Cinema that I should "be careful," or "stop" asking for an independent inquiry, since I'm a former contractor of the Senior Leadership Team, and I'm "complicit."
Over the past 2 weeks, it's been "suggested" to me, by folx in & outside of Tyneside Cinema that I should "be careful," or "stop" asking for an independent inquiry, since I'm a former contractor of the Senior Leadership Team, and I'm "complicit."
Presumably, the subtext here being, "we go down, you go down." Okay. Cool, cool, cool. Let's go.
On what planet do you think the real actual in-the-room life-altering experiences of those who are coming forward are worth more than our careers or reputations? 2/21
On what planet do you think the real actual in-the-room life-altering experiences of those who are coming forward are worth more than our careers or reputations? 2/21
I'm not perfect. I do things wrong, I make bad decisions, I don't always pay attention to what's happening in front of me. I'm often too this/that about things. Sometimes I seem aloof as I'm an anxiety-ridden introvert. Lots of people don't like me. I'm getting used to it. 3/21
I've made/continue to make a shit tonne of mistakes. I've got some bad tattoos; as a kid, I stole & sold my violent stepdad's weed to buy food; I tried to kill myself once; I had a drug addiction; I was fired from a job for being a fucking liability; I've been a shit friend. 4/21
For most of my life I've fought against injustices that I have direct personal experience of; child neglect, sexual abuse, domestic violence, workers right's, mental health, suicide prevention, women's rights, classism. 5/21
I have not been especially focussed on racism, ableism, homophobia - until now, because major 2020 callback, THAT'S MY PRIVILEGE. And I can use it wisely. I'm learning, paying attention and trying to understand how I can help, support or fight for others. 6/21
I've learned how to fight against injustices that affect me. Now, it's my duty to use that exp. to fight for justice for others. Because 2nd major 2020 callback, if we're not all free then none of us are free. 7/21
So when Tyneside Cinema tells me I will be complicit, then I say
So when Tyneside Cinema tells me I will be complicit, then I say
In 2018, I fought very hard to keep a member of staff even though I was directed to fail their probation/dismiss them. This person had met all of their objectives, they deserved to pass their probation. The problem: the set objectives weren't what management wanted. 
8/21
8/21
But, in 2019, I didn't fight hard enough to keep a member of staff who wasn't properly supported in their role and was subject to disciplinary action. I could've done more, and I didn't intervene, because I thought the 'process' could be trusted. I was wrong. I regret it. 9/21
In 2019 I voted for all of the Senior Leadership Team to take a pay cut so that everyone employed by Tyneside Cinema could be paid the Living Wage, regardless of their age. This wasn't approved. I don't know who ultimately vetoed it, CEO or Board. 10/21
But also in 2019, I allowed Crystallised to work the Sorry We Missed You premiere, even though I felt sick knowing that Tyneside Cinema has staff on 6-hour contracts - which let's face it, is just a 0-hours contract squeezing through a loophole. Sharuna knows. 11/21
From the moment I started at Tyneside Cinema I was in an ongoing battle to have Box Office properly supported, resourced and protected and remunerated. By and large, I failed, because despite perceptions, no-one in the Senior Leadership Team actually has that much power. 12/21
In 2019 I fought for a team member who had serious mental health issues as a result of working conditions to have their sick pay extended, at the same time I didn't probe enough when I was told about a team member who'd made a "serious allegation". 13/21
This would turn out to be a sexual assault allegation.
Why am I telling you all this? Because no-one is perfect. We all make decisions based on the information we have at the time. And I believe most people try to do what they think is right. It doesn't always work out. 14/21
Why am I telling you all this? Because no-one is perfect. We all make decisions based on the information we have at the time. And I believe most people try to do what they think is right. It doesn't always work out. 14/21
As has been demonstrated clearly by everything that has come out about Tyneside Cinema over the past few weeks. Even if people are acting in the best intentions, they get things wrong. And the handling of staff welfare issues has been catastrophically wrong for many years. 15/21
So, I don't think it's very fucking unreasonable to:
1. Believe survivors when they are telling you what is happening to them
2. Ask for an independent inquiry that DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE CINEMA SINCE 2012! 16/21
1. Believe survivors when they are telling you what is happening to them
2. Ask for an independent inquiry that DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE CINEMA SINCE 2012! 16/21
I've been told I have an "axe to grind", I have no axes. I enjoyed working at Tyneside Cinema, most of the time. I hope I made a difference. I worked hard to contribute in a meaningful way and to affect change in a positive way. 17/21
The cinema is full of wonderful folx. They're likely devastated by this. I have friends there who I love dearly. I don't think the CEO is a terrible person, I don't think any of this was intended. But intentions < actions.
Fairness, justice and equality above all else. 18/21
Fairness, justice and equality above all else. 18/21
It is fair and just that there is an independent review, by an outside organisation, ideally from outside of the North East, who have absolutely no connection whatsoever to Tyneside Cinema board, staff or management.
What is problematic about this request? 19/21
What is problematic about this request? 19/21
It is fair and just that survivors know why and how they were so badly let down.
It is fair and just that failings are admitted and dissected, so that nothing like this ever has to happen again.
20/21
It is fair and just that failings are admitted and dissected, so that nothing like this ever has to happen again.
20/21
So when you make this about me, when you tell me I should be careful because I'm complicit you insult me, by assuming my ego is greater than the trauma of survivors and you reveal your own priorities.
Now is the time to do what is right. 21/21 https://www.change.org/p/help-stop-tyneside-cinema-covering-up-sexual-assault-and-bullying
Now is the time to do what is right. 21/21 https://www.change.org/p/help-stop-tyneside-cinema-covering-up-sexual-assault-and-bullying
